Did you know blackberries are the fruits with the highest levels of antioxidants? Yep, they most certainly are. Which means they fight free radicals, keep you healthy, and keep your skin looking young and fresh.
Not only are they tasty, but blackberries are also full of phytoestrogens which reduces symptoms of PMS, food cravings, bloating, and even hot flashes making them your best friend at that ‘time of the month.
Yogurt also makes the ultimate super thick, frothy smoothie — the kind you eat with a spoon. With the heat wave that’s currently blanketing most of the country a chilly, healthy smoothie is just what’s needed to cool you down. I like non-fat vanilla yogurt for smoothies because it adds protein, calcium, and potassium without the fat and calories of many dairy products. It’s sweeter than plain yogurt and gets along with virtually all fruits and spices, such as tangy summer blackberries and sweet cinnamon in today’s recipe for Blackberry Yogurt Power Smoothie.
Blackberry Yogurt Power Smoothie
With whey or soy protein powder, this is the ideal post-workout muscle-building drink. Of course, it’s delicious without it too. For variations, try other berries, ripe mango, or pineapple.
Ingredients
– 1 cup non-fat vanilla yogurt
– 1 scoop whey or soy protein powder
– 1 cup fresh blackberries
– 1 teaspoon honey
– a couple of dashes of cinnamon
– ice
Place all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth and frothy. If you prefer it thinner, then just add a little water or milk.
Raspberry Mango Smoothie
Smoothies are one of my favorite breakfasts. They come together in a number of minutes and they taste so vibrant and refreshing. Starting your day doesn’t get much better than rolling out of bed and making a fruit smoothie. One great thing about smoothies is how versatile they are, there are countless combinations to them. One of my favorite ways to make a breakfast smoothie is to add quick oats, which you can most definitely add to this recipe to make a more filling breakfast out of it.
This smoothie is easy to make and oh-so flavorful. It uses frozen raspberries and mango pieces, so it’s thick, creamy and refreshing.
Makes 2 servings
Ingredients
– 1-1/4 cups cold 2% milk
– 1/2 cup light nonfat vanilla flavored yogurt
– 1/2 cup frozen unsweetened mango chunks
– 1/3 cup frozen unsweetened red raspberries
– 12 packets Naturals™ from the maker of Equal®
– 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
– 1/4 teaspoon almond extract
Add all ingredients in a blender and process until smooth.